FREE Stuff

This has been a good week for free stuff.  No sooner did I take this picture when even more stuff arrived.  So much stuff that it makes me question whether I should do this or not.  Ecologically, it seems less than perfect even if I reuse and recycle the packaging.  Financially, I don't know yet if it makes sense-- that is why I'm tracking it all here.  There must be a balance somewhere.  For now, I'm just going to keep on coups d'ponning.

Free Beneful dog food will be going to my favorite local dog.  The soap will go to the shelter and the granola bar will be lucky to make it through tomorrow morning at our house.

Costco.com had a deal of the day Jump Start 1st & 2nd Grade computer game -- I think it was $17.99 shipped with an $18 rebate. ($18)  This will either be a gift or wait for Nora!

Shutterfly had a code for three free cards.  I used a funny picture of Nora and made blank cards.  ($4.50)

2010 Saved $134.39

2010 Cash $2.42

2010 Free Stuff $49.95

TOTAL coups d'pon $186.76

FREE Stuff

As part of my frugal journey, I am including free samples and simple opportunities to earn cash and/or products.  When possible, I'll keep a running total of these items, as well.  Missing from this picture are samples of Olay Body Wash, Dove Shampoo, and granola bars.  Joe ate the granola bars and the other products were donated to a group who makes kits for women in need.

All Bran Cereal (yum!) sent us samples AND marigold seeds.  I have fond memories of planting themwith my grandma.  Now Nora and I will create memories!

Zondervan sent me a free Busy Mom's Bible. It's the cutest Bible ever.  I shared it with a good friend who just so happens to BE a busy mom whol was also looking for a new Bible. ($24.95)

Tasters Choice sent us their new little packets of coffee.  These will be going to the food pantry as I ordered them with Joe in mind and he doesn't care for them.  I think one of the best parts of this frugal journey is being able to share with others.

Shutterfly has free Wink Photostrips.  I used the cutest baby around to make ours. ($2.50)

I've explored many survey opportunities and my current favorite is YouData .  This week was my first week with them and I found their ads to be very interesting and a perfect fit.  I found myself actually browing the online shops rather than just clicking through to get my credits.  From their site: "They are trying to convince consumers like us that we should be the ones controlling our own data and selling our own attention, not third parties like broadcasters, newspapers, and spammers. By creating a MeFile at YouData.com, I now control what ads I see and when I see them. Best part - I am selling my attention directly to interested advertisers, for real money. That's right, I get paid for giving them my attention. I can use the funds to buy music and video online, donate to charities, give to my favorite blogs and websites, or keep the change myself and do whatever I want with it."

To cement how awesome they are, they deposit your money into your Paypal account each week.  This week I received $2.42.  I highly recommend signing up.  Here is my referral link.

2010 Saved $134.39

2010 Cash $2.42

2010 Free Stuff $27.45

TOTAL coups d'pon  $164.26

03.23.2010 Jewel Osco

Again, I can't say that there was some TREMENDOUS deal that occurred, but altogether I was super impressed.  I've kept at it, haven't purchased things out of the ordinary, and HAD TO HAVE A MANAGER COME OVER AND APPROVE my coupon amount (over $30 in YourBucks from my last Jewel run!)  I didn't even know such a procedure existed.

Total Saved: $54.30
YTD Savings $134.39

bed, bath and beyond 03.13.2010

Our backs have been killing us and a friend recommended trying knee pillows since we are both side-sleepers.  After looking at them online, we decided that we needed to see them in person.  Old me would have run off to the store without a thought.  New exuberantly thrifty me, made a quick check of Bed, Bath & Beyond's website and found that if we enrolled for their email, we were immediately emailed a 20% off coupon.  We were able to print it twice and use one on each pillow.  The pillows also came with a mail-in form for free extra covers -- I haven't had a chance to look at this yet, though.  As a sidenote, the pillows really have made a difference in our backs!  Give them a try if you're an ailing side sleeper.

Total Saved: $8.00

YTD Savings $80.99

jewel osco 03.09.2010

I'm not sure how to record the grocery store since we need so many things and I am not so rock'n roll at this coupon thing that I can show a table overflowing with groceries and show some crazy low amount that I paid for them.  For now, I'll just cover what I saved in coupons.  Because ANY coupon savings is more than I was doing before.  Another exciting addition to my frugal journey is Your Bucks.  This service gives you 'your bucks' for purchasing specific offer items.  You just register your Jewel card and are automatically signed up for whatever offers are currently available.  I didn't change a thing I bought, and got over $32 in Your Bucks that will work like cash my next grocery visit.  Definitely worth checking out.

For now, I will only count the coupons I used this trip (including in store coupons):

Total Saved: $25.93

YTD Savings $72.99

target 03.05.2010

Kashi Cereal… on sale for $2.88
     used $1.50 mfr coupon
GE Reveal Light bulbs… on sale for $3.59
     used $1.00/2 mfr coupon and $1.50 Target coupon
Seventh Generation Disinfecting Spray…..regular price $2.99
     used $1.00 Target coupon and $1.00 mfr coupon
Bandaids… regular price $1.82
     used $1.00 Target coupon  (should have had newspaper coupoon $0.50)
Glade 3 Wick Soy Candles… regular price $8.29
     used $2.00 mfr coupon and will use $5.00 mail-in rebate
Kids Crest Toothpaste…………. regular price $1.97
     used $1.00 Target coupon (should have had newspaper coupon $1.00)
Skittles…...regular price $0.69
      used BOGO mfr coupon (Nisey got the free pack so just imagine it in the picture)
Clorox Toilet Wand Kit………….. regular price $9.69
     used $5.00 mfr coupon and will use $5.00 mail-in rebate

Total Cost: $52.78
Total Paid: $25.09
Total Savings: $27.69

YTD Savings:  $47.06

walgreens 03.06.2010

Sunday Paper (news AND coupons) $1.99

Renpure Organics Shampoo and Conditioner $6.99 each

      on sale BOGO, Mail In Rebate for One Free

Lindsay Black Olives on Sale for $0.99 each
     Mfr coupon $1.00/2
Tylenol PM* on Sale for $2.99

     Mfr coupon $2.50, Walgreens coupon $1.00

Starburst $1.59/2

     Mfr coupon BOGO (0.89)

Total Cost $22.53

Total Paid $ 3.16

Total Saved $19.37

YTD Savings $19.37

*The first visit to the register, I had the wrong size Tylenol PM for the sale.  The poor cashier had to remove it (which then removed all the coupons) and then wait for me to run to the back and find the correct size.  Re-applying the coupons gave him some difficulty and I felt bad about it.  I feel even worse upon finding that he accidently put BOTH packages in my bag.  Tomorrow morning, I'll return the one I didn't purchase!